Lifestyle

Hanoi Ao Dai Tourism Festival 2025: Experience Heritage Like Never Before

25 December, 2025

THE HANOI TIMES — Hanoi is set to dazzle as the 2025 Hanoi Ao Dai Tourism Festival returns from November 7 to 9, celebrating Vietnam’s iconic traditional attire and showcasing the city’s rich cultural heritage.

Hosted at the Hanoi Museum in Tu Liem Ward and along the picturesque Hoan Kiem Lake walking street, this three-day extravaganza promises an immersive cultural journey. Attendees will be treated to the elegance of the Ao Dai, traditional Vietnamese music, and engaging folk games.

Nguyen Tran Quang, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Tourism, unveiled the 2025 Hanoi Ao Dai Tourism Festival, emphasizing its significance in promoting the city’s cultural legacy and tourism. Photo: Jenna Duong

According to Nguyen Tran Quang, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Tourism, the festival aims to solidify Hanoi’s reputation as a “Safe, Friendly, Quality, and Attractive” destination. It also honors the Ao Dai as a timeless symbol of Vietnamese beauty and identity.

The festival kicks off on November 7 at the Hanoi Museum with the captivating performance “Hanoi Ao Dai – Illuminating the Essence of Heritage,” marking the beginning of a weekend filled with art, fashion, and tradition.

Exhibition booths will showcase stunning designs and accessories from Vietnam’s top Ao Dai creators, highlighting the garment’s regional diversity and artistic innovation.

Deputy Director Quang reflected, “The Ao Dai has been a cherished companion of the Vietnamese people across generations, embodying national pride and cultural sophistication.”

“It stands as a cultural treasure and a ‘tourism ambassador,’ introducing Vietnam’s rich heritage to the world,” he added.

Now in its 4th year, the festival has become a cornerstone of Hanoi’s cultural calendar, eagerly anticipated as a year-end highlight.

Festival-goers can participate in hands-on activities, including Ao Dai painting and embroidery workshops, as well as crafting delicate bamboo dragonflies. The air will be filled with traditional melodies, such as ca tru and quan ho, creating a vibrant auditory experience.

Additionally, the children’s performance “I Love Hanoi” and the finale of the “Ao Dai – Connecting Heritage” design competition will showcase the creativity and passion of the younger generation.

A festival centerpiece, the Ao Dai Parade around Hoan Kiem Lake, will take place on the afternoon of November 8. This grand procession honors the founder of the Trach Xa Ao Dai sewing village and features the spectacular “Bach Hoa Bo Hanh” program, with 1,000 participants adorned in Ao Dai and traditional attire.

The parade promises to transform Hanoi’s heart into a living masterpiece of color, elegance, and cultural pride.

Pham Thi Thanh Huong, Permanent Vice President of the Hanoi Women’s Union, presented the *Ao Dai* performance featuring 350 women representing the capital’s diverse community.

Pham Thi Thanh Huong, Permanent Vice President of the Hanoi Women’s Union, announced that 350 women from various backgrounds—entrepreneurs, students, and more—will participate in the special performance “Women of the Capital Integrate and Develop.” This act celebrates the strength and grace of Vietnamese women.

To further enhance the festival’s allure, the Hanoi Department of Tourism will introduce the “Touching Autumn in Hanoi” program. This unique double-decker bus tour invites participants to explore Hanoi’s iconic landmarks while wearing Ao Dai, capturing the city’s enchanting autumn ambiance.

Building on past successes, this year’s festival reinforces Hanoi’s status as a hub of Vietnamese cultural heritage. “We aim for the Hanoi Ao Dai Tourism Festival to elevate Hanoi and Vietnam’s global appeal,” stated Nguyen Tran Quang of the Hanoi Department of Tourism.